Shaun Jeffers secured an impressive victory with a quick-fire brace..
Coventry City Under-21’s recorded back-to-back victories as Shaun Jeffers’ double secured the win over Derby County.
Jeffers grabbed a quick-fire brace just after the half-hour to secure the 2-1 win over the Rams, despite Michael Jacobs’ 80th minute penalty.
Lee Carsley fielded a strong team with Adam Barton and Conor Thomas starting in midfield, and Jordan Willis captaining the side at Pride Park.
The behind-closed-doors match started better for the home side with Michael Hoganson and Andy Hales forcing Chris Dunn into two great saves inside the first 25 minutes.
Carsley’s side responded well to the early pressure and took the lead in the 31st minute when Jeffers headed home from close range past Saul Deeney.
The Sky Blues doubled their lead just three minutes later when Barton’s fierce effort was parried into the path of lone-striker Jeffers who tapped home for his second of the game.
The 20-year old almost claimed a hat-trick three minutes after the break when Derby defender Jamie Hansen slipped to allow Jeffers in but he fired narrowly wide of Deeney’s left-hand post.
Carsley’s side kept control of the game for the majority of the second half before Michael Jacobs went down under challenge from Barton and Derby was awarded a penalty with 10 minutes to go.
Jacobs halved the deficit when he tucked the penalty into the bottom corner but City held on to claim an impressive win, despite Hales hitting the crossbar late on.
Teams
Derby County: Deeney; O’Connor, Gjokaj, Hanson, Hoganson; Dales, Smith, Davies, Jacobs; Doyle, Vernam.
Coventry City: Dunn (GK), Clarke, Willis ©, Henderson, Haynes, Barton, Roberts, Thomas, Daniels, Philliskirk, Jeffers.
Subs: Ruffels, Maund, Rankin, Garner, Lawton.